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New England Patriots
Established 1960
Play in Foxboro, Massachusetts
New England Patriots logo
New England Patriots logo
Logo
League/conference affiliations
American Football League (1960–69)
  • Eastern Division (1960–69)

National Football League (1970–present)

Uniforms
Team colors"Nautical" Blue, "New Century" Silver, Red, and White
MascotPat Patriot
Personnel
Owner(s)Robert Kraft
General managerBill Belichick
Head coachBill Belichick
Team history
  • Boston Patriots (1960–70)
  • New England Patriots (1971–present)
Team nicknames
The Pats The Riots, America's Team
Championships
League championships (3)
Conference championships (5)
Division championships (10)
Home fields


The New England Patriots, frequently called the "Pats" by sports writers and fans,[1] are a professional American football team based in Foxborough, Massachusetts. They are currently the champions of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). The team's ownership changed the name, originally the Boston Patriots, after relocating the team to Foxborough in 1971.

An original member of the American Football League, the Patriots joined the NFL in the league merger of 1970. The team advanced to the playoffs four times before appearing in Super Bowl XX in January 1986. This Super Bowl appearance resulted in a loss to the Chicago Bears. The team also appeared in, and lost Super Bowl XXXI in 1997, to the Green Bay Packers. Between 2001 and 2004, the Patriots became the second team in NFL history (after the Dallas Cowboys) to win three Super Bowls in four years (Super Bowl XXXVI, XXXVIII, and XXXIX), and the seventh (and to date, the last) team to win consecutive Super Bowls.

Franchise history

Main article: History of the New England Patriots


Time Warp Continuem.


The AFL Years

November 16 1959, Boston executive William H. "Billy" Sullivan Jr. was awarded the eighth and final franchise of the developing American Football League (AFL). The following winter, locals were allowed to submit ideas for the Boston football team's official name. The most popular choice—and the one that Sullivan selected—was "Boston Patriots", which derived from the historical Patriots of the American Revolution. Several months later, Phil Bisell created the "Pat Patriot" logo (see section), and Lou Saban was selected as the team's first head coach.

The franchise's first training camp began on July 4 1960, two months before their first official game against the Bills.[2] On September 9 of that year, the Boston Patriots played the Denver Broncos in the first-ever AFL regular season game. The Broncos defeated the Patriots by a score of 13–10. The franchise played first at legendary Braves Field in Boston, the old home of the Boston Braves that was eventually purchased by Boston University, where it was renamed Nickerson Field. From 1961 to 1969, the Patriots played at Fenway Park, the home of the Boston Red Sox. 5,000 temporary seats covered the left field wall, and field goals were regularly kicked into the right field visitors' bullpen. The Patriots failed to reach the playoffs in each of their first three seasons, despite posting a cumulative 23-17 record. However, in 1963 the Patriots reached the AFL Championship for the first time, resulting in a loss to the San Diego Chargers by a score of 51–10. Although the franchise lost the championship, it was honored when eleven Patriots made the AFL All-star team, including Gino Cappelletti, Nick Buoniconti, Jim Lee Hunt, Houston Antwine, Bob Dee, and Babe Parilli.

Although Boston failed to reach the AFL playoffs for the remainder of the decade, the team was noted in 1966 when fullback Jim Nance gained 1,458 yards, and the title of the American Football League's MVP.[3][4] Tom Addison, the first Patriot All-star, founded the AFL Players Association in the mid 1960s.

1970-1991

The Patriots' second decade began with significant changes. In 1970, the Patriots' franchise joined the NFL pursuant to the merger of the AFL and NFL that had been agreed to three years earlier. The Patriots were merged into the American Football Conference (AFC), where they remain to the present day. However, the Patriots' first season as part of the NFL resulted in a record of 2–12, sole possession of the newly merged league's worst record. Despite the lack of wins, local morale increased in 1971 when the Patriots moved into a new stadium in Foxborough (also known as Foxboro). The stadium, to be known as Schaefer Stadium, became Sullivan Stadium in 1983 and, ultimately, Foxboro Stadium in 1990. This marked stability for the Patriots, who shifted between four different Boston-area stadiums since its creation. In March 1971, the team was renamed the "New England Patriots" to reflect the relocation.

By the early 1970s, several new players were added to the lineup, including Heisman Trophy[5] winner Jim Plunkett[6] and offensive lineman John Hannah, who became the first career Patriot to make the Hall of Fame in 1991.[7]Despite the changes in personnel, the Patriots' series of losing seasons continued into the early 1970s. Chuck Fairbanks was hired as head coach and general manager in 1973 after leading a top-ten program at the University of Oklahoma. Fairbanks began assembling one of the most talented - but ultimately underachieveing - squads in the NFL of the 1970s. The Patriots finished 7–7 in 1974 and 3–11 in 1975, which resulted in offensive changes. Plunkett was traded to the San Francisco 49ers and replaced by second year player Steve Grogan.

After the string of losing seasons, the Patriots finished the 1976 season with an 11–3 mark — the best record in team history to that point — and a playoff slot for the first time since 1963. In the first round of the 1976 playoffs, the Patriots lost to the Oakland Raiders 24–21. In 1978, Fairbanks was fired as head coach when it was revealed he had been secretly hired as the new head coach of the University of Colorado. Fairbanks was replaced by Ron Erhardt, who coached the team to a playoff appearance later that year. The Patriots lost to the Houston Oilers in the first round and did not return to the tournament until 1982. Under new coach Ron Meyer, the Patriots were once again eliminated in the first game — this time by the Miami Dolphins. With the team unable to assemble playoff victories, the Sullivans replaced head coach Ron Meyer with former wide receiver Raymond Berry in 1984.

In the 1985 regular season, the team finished with an 11-5 record and obtained a wild card playoff berth. The Patriots won three road playoff games on their way to Super Bowl XX — an NFL record.[8] At Super Bowl XX, the Patriots surrendered a 3-0 first quarter lead and lost to the Chicago Bears by a score of 46-10. The following season, New England won the AFC East with another 11–5 record, but fell to the Broncos in the first round of the playoffs. Local resident Doug Flutie was a member of the Patriots during the 1987–1988 seasons, in which they finished with records of 8–7 and 9–7, respectively. Berry remained head coach through both seasons.

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Patriots' lack of playoff appearances was underscored by personnel changes and controversy within the Sullivan ownership.[9] The Sullivan family lost millions of dollars on expensive investments, including The Jacksons' 1984 Victory tour. Additional pressure was placed on the ownership when they calculated that $100 million was already invested in the franchise.[10] These financial losses and demands forced the Sullivans to sell the team. In 1986, Francis W. Murray arranged financing to keep the team afloat and, in return, was granted an option to purchase the team. When Murray tried to exercise his option, the Sullivans refused to acknowledge his rights and Murray sued and won in court. As a result, Murray agreed to partner with Victor Kiam to purchase the team in 1988. Kiam and Murray purchased the team for $84 million — $16 million less than the cost of the team.[11] Although Kiam was now the majority owner, he decided to keep Billy Sullivan and his son, Pat Sullivan, as franchise president and General Manager respectively.[12] Meanwhile, entrepreneur Robert Kraft began his involvement with the Patriots by purchasing Sullivan Stadium (previously Schaefer Stadium) on November 23 1988. Essentially, Kraft owned the stadium and Kiam possessed the team.[13] During this leadership change, head coach Berry was replaced by Rod Rust — a change that was short-lived.

The Patriots' worst season in franchise history — a 1-15 record — came under Rust in 1990. During the season, the Patriots were thrown into the middle of a sexual harassment scandal when Boston Herald reporter Lisa Olson was sexually and verbally assaulted by several Patriots players in the team's locker room — a bad situation made worse by Kiam first deriding the reporter as "a classic [expletive]" and by making lewd jokes at public events about the whole affair instead of allowing it to die quietly. Following an investigation into the scandal, NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue fined the team $50,000, and players Zeke Mowatt, Michael Timpson and Robert Perryman $12,500, $5,000, and $5,000 respectively. Rust was fired and replaced by Dick MacPherson at the end of the season. The Olson scandal and the 1-15 record are cited as the two primary reasons why Rod Rust was told to leave.[14]

1992–1999 (Parcells and Carroll Era)

In 1992, St. Louis businessman James Orthwein became sole owner of the Patriots franchise, sparking rumors of a possible franchise relocation to St. Louis. However, no move was scheduled for the 1992 season, despite a sub-par 1992 season.[15] During the 1992-1993 offseason, the Patriots shifted gears by replacing MacPherson with Bill Parcells. The team's draft selections for the offseason included Drew Bledsoe, who quarterbacked the team until 2001. Despite these acquisitions, the 1993 season resulted in a losing record, and rumors about relocation to St. Louis resparked during the offseason. In order to save the team from relocation, Robert Kraft outbid an intense field of competition and obtained full ownership of the Patriots in 1994.[16] Kraft implemented changes in organization and leadership, which culminated in a ten-season stadium sell-out streak from 1996 to the present.

New England entered the 1994 season after drafting first round and fourth overall pick on defensive end Willie McGinest, who would later play linebacker on all three Super Bowl-winning teams. Although the team lost in the first round of the 1994 playoffs and finished the 1995 season with a 6–10 record, Kraft decided to keep Parcells. In 1996, the Patriots finished with an 11–5 record and an AFC East division championship. The team eventually advanced to Super Bowl XXXI, where they lost to the Green Bay Packers 35–21.

Due to rising tensions between Parcells and Kraft, Parcells resigned, and was replaced by Pete Carroll in 1997. Meanwhile, the Patriots and the New York Jets began switching players and coaches, including current Jets head coach Eric Mangini, the aforementioned Parcells, and running back Curtis Martin. Nevertheless, New England finished 1997 with a 10–6 record and first place in the AFC East. The Patriots defeated the Miami Dolphins 17–3 at home in the opening round, before losing against the Pittsburgh Steelers by a score of 7–6. In the 1998 season, the Patriots finished 9–7, and lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round of the playoffs. A subpar 1999 season resulted in Carroll's firing.

2000-present (Belichick Era)

After Carroll was fired, Bill Belichick, hand-picked to be Parcells' successor with the Jets, quit after one day as Jets head coach to join New England.[17] In 2000, Belichick's first season resulted in a 5–11 record. In 2001, quarterback Drew Bledsoe was injured early in the season on a hit by Jets linebacker Mo Lewis, and was replaced by Tom Brady, a sixth-round draft pick, who then led the team into the playoffs with an 11–5 record (and, in the process, creating a media controversy over who should be the starter after Bledsoe recovered). The Patriots defeated the Oakland Raiders (in the controversial "Tuck Rule" game) and Pittsburgh Steelers and advanced to Super Bowl XXXVI, where they defeated the St. Louis Rams on a, literally, last-second field goal by Adam Vinatieri. In New England's first Super Bowl victory, Brady was selected Super Bowl MVP. Bledsoe was traded to the Buffalo Bills in the 2002 off-season.

In 2002, Robert Kraft opened the new Gillette Stadium after privately funding its construction. After getting no support from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to build a new stadium, Kraft made a deal to move the team to Hartford, Connecticut in 1998. [18] However, environmental cleanup problems with the Hartford site, combined with Massachusetts' eventual willingness to loan $57,000,000 in infrastructure costs around Foxboro to be repaid through parking revenue led to a reversal of the Hartford deal. As a result of threats of lawsuits by Connecticut Governor John Rowland, Kraft paid $2.4M to Connecticut to avoid any future litigation. [19] The state-of-the-art stadium is widely considered to be one of the premier stadiums in NFL Football. [20][21]

The Patriots missed the 2002 playoffs after finishing with a record of 9–7. In 2003, the Patriots started 2–2 but finished with a 14–2 record and fourteen straight wins on their way to Super Bowl XXXVIII against the Carolina Panthers. The Patriots won by a score of 32–29; the final three points came from another Adam Vinatieri field goal. Brady was named Super Bowl MVP for the second time in his career.

Patriot fans rally in front of Boston City Hall following the 2004 Super Bowl XXXVIII championship

In 2004 the Patriots broke the all-time winning streak record of 18 consecutive wins, following a victory against the Miami Dolphins. Later in the season, the Patriots lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, which halted their winning streak at 21 games.[22] However, the NFL only counts regular-season wins in determining the consecutive wins record, so the Patriots' streak officially stands at 18 games.

After finishing the 2004 season with a 14-2 record, the Patriots defeated the Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers en route to Super Bowl XXXIX. The Patriots went on to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles by a score of 24–21. The victory made the Patriots the first team in six years (and the eighth in history) to repeat as NFL Super Bowl champions, and the second team ever to win three Super Bowls in four years (next to the Dallas Cowboys). It was the city of Bostons second victory parade (Red Sox World Series parade) in five months.

After the 2004 season, Belichick's top two coordinators — Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel — left the team to pursue head coaching positions. Significant players moved on as well, including longtime Patriot cornerback Ty Law. Linebacker Tedy Bruschi missed half of the 2005 season while recovering from a mild stroke.[23] During the 2005 season, the team lost several starters to injuries, including safety Rodney Harrison and offensive tackle Matt Light. In the final game of the season, Doug Flutie performed the first successful dropkick extra point since 1941.[24] At the end of the season, the Patriots won the AFC East with a 10–6 record. The Patriots defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 28–3 in the first round of the playoffs before losing to the superior Broncos 27–13. New England became the seventh team in NFL history to fail on a chance to win the Super Bowl in three consecutive seasons, the last team to do so being the Broncos.

The 2006 off-season saw the departure and arrival of several personnel. Dean Pees took over as defensive coordinator when Eric Mangini left the team to become head coach of the New York Jets.[25] Quarterbacks coach Josh McDaniels was promoted to offensive coordinator after New England went one season without replacing Charlie Weis.[26] Notable Patriot players David Givens, Willie McGinest, and Adam Vinatieri left New England for the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and Indianapolis Colts respectively. Deion Branch would later be traded to the Seattle Seahawks. Despite this, they still won the AFC East. The Patriots went on to defeat their rival, the New York Jets 37-16. The following game, Brady, despite throwing 3 INTs, engineered a 4th quarter comeback to defeat the heavily favored San Diego Chargers by the score of 24-21. They are set to face the Colts for the Conference Championship and the right to represent the AFC in the Superbowl.

The Kraft years have provided a major turnaround for the fan base of the Patriots. Before Kraft's arrival, the Patriots rarely played at Foxboro Stadium's maximum capacity (with the only exception being the highly successful 1986 season). The attendance was particularly low during the early 1990s, when poor performance and the aforementioned rumors of franchise relocation to St. Louis loomed; the average home attendance was below 60% of maximum capacity. However, the improvements made during Bill Parcells' coaching tenure (both on and off the field) resulted in a rejuvenation of the fan base. From the 1996 season onward, every Patriots home game has sold out, both at Foxboro and Gillette stadiums, including preseason games.[27][28]

Logo and uniforms

File:NewEnglandPatriotsOld.gif
The original "Pat the Patriot" logo used from 1961-1992
File:NEPatriots1993.gif
Royal Blue "Flying Elvis" logo used from 1993-1999
File:NewEnglandPatriots 100.gif
Navy Blue "Flying Elvis" logo used from 2000-present

The original Patriot logo was a stylized depiction of a Revolutionary War tricorne hat. Midway through the first season, it was replaced by an image of a New England Revolutionary War minuteman snapping a football, developed by artist Phil Bissell.[29] Initial Patriots owner William Sullivan coined the logo's nickname — "Pat Patriot" — in late 1961.[30] The team's original uniforms used a color scheme matching that of the American flag — red and white shirts, blue stripes on the sleeves, and white pants and helmets. As with most NFL teams, the helmets featured the team logo on both sides.[31]

In 1979, the Patriots enhanced the American flag color arrangement by introducing red pants worn with the white and blue jerseys — a design that was used for home games. The pant design was reverted for the 1982 and 1983 seasons. In 1984, the Patriots introduced red jerseys and white pants, but in the 1985 season the team wore the white jerseys during all home games. However, in Super Bowl XX, the Patriots opted to wear their red jerseys as the designated home team against the Chicago Bears after road playoff victories over the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins wearing the red jerseys.

In 1993, changes to the Patriots' uniforms and logo were rolled out by owner James B. Orthwein and NFL Properties.[32] Apparently, due to the original 1960's-vintage "Pat the Patriot" logo being the most ornate and graphically detailed logo to be used anywhere in North American professional sports up to that time, with the associated greater expense with its replication for use, it was replaced with the silhouette of a Patriot's head wearing a red-white-and-blue tricorne hat — a symbol that was nicknamed the "Flying Elvis" by fans[33], and was also jokingly compared to the logo of Colonial lunchmeats. The team's jerseys were changed from red to "Patriot" (dark) blue, and both the helmets and pants from white to silver.[34]

In 2000, the team introduced a darker shade of blue to the jerseys.[35] Blue pants were introduced with the white jerseys, and twice during the 2002 season, the Patriots wore an all-blue combination. In 2003, the Patriots introduced a gray alternate jersey that is worn occasionally at home with the blue pants. [36] When the Patriots wear the gray jersey, the visiting team is obligated to don its contrasting dark jersey.


Season-by-season records

Season records
Season W L T Finish Playoff results
Boston Patriots (AFL)
1960 5 9 0 4th AFL East –
1961 9 4 1 2nd AFL East –
1962 9 4 1 2nd AFL East –
1963 7 6 1 1st AFL East Won Divisional Playoff (Bills) 26-8
Lost AFL Championship (Chargers) 51-10
1964 10 3 1 2nd AFL East –
1965 4 8 2 3rd AFL East –
1966 8 4 2 2nd AFL East –
1967 3 10 1 5th AFL East –
1968 4 10 0 4th AFL East –
1969 4 10 0 3rd AFL East –
Merged into NFL
1970 2 12 0 5th AFC East –
New England Patriots
1971 6 8 0 3rd AFC East –
1972 3 11 0 5th AFC East –
1973 5 9 0 3rd AFC East –
1974 7 7 0 3rd AFC East –
1975 3 11 0 4th AFC East –
1976 11 3 0 2nd AFC East Lost Divisional Playoffs (Raiders) 24-21
1977 9 5 0 3rd AFC East –
1978 11 5 0 1st AFC East Lost Divisional Playoffs (Oilers) 31-14
1979 9 7 0 2nd AFC East –
1980 10 6 0 2nd AFC East –
1981 2 12 0 5th AFC East –
1982 5 4 0 7th AFC Conf.+ Lost First Round (Dolphins) 28-13
1983 8 8 0 2nd AFC East –
1984 9 7 0 2nd AFC East –
1985 11 5 0 3rd AFC East Won Wild Card Playoffs (Jets) 26-14
Won Divisional Playoffs (L.A. Raiders) 27-20
Won Conference Championship (Dolphins) 31-14
Lost Super Bowl XX (Bears) 46-10
1986 11 5 0 1st AFC East Lost Divisional Playoffs (Broncos) 22-17
1987 8 7 0 2nd AFC East –
1988 9 7 0 3rd AFC East –
1989 5 11 0 4th AFC East –
1990 1 15 0 5th AFC East –
1991 6 10 0 4th AFC East –
1992 2 14 0 5th AFC East –
1993 5 11 0 4th AFC East –
1994 10 6 0 2nd AFC East Lost Wild Card Playoffs (Browns) 20-13
1995 6 10 0 4th AFC East –
1996 11 5 0 1st AFC East Won Divisional Playoffs (Steelers) 28-3
Won Conference Championship (Jaguars) 20-6
Lost Super Bowl XXXI (Packers) 35-21
1997 10 6 0 1st AFC East Won Wild Card Playoffs (Dolphins) 17-3
Lost Divisional Playoffs (Steelers) 7-6
1998 9 7 0 4th AFC East Lost Wild Card Playoffs (Jaguars) 25-10
1999 8 8 0 5th AFC East –
2000 5 11 0 5th AFC East –
2001 11 5 0 1st AFC East Won Divisional Playoffs (Raiders) 16-13
Won Conference Championship (Steelers) 24-17
Won Super Bowl XXXVI (Rams) 20-17
2002 9 7 0 2nd AFC East –
2003 14 2 0 1st AFC East Won Divisional Playoffs (Titans) 17-14
Won Conference Championship (Colts) 24-14
Won Super Bowl XXXVIII (Panthers) 32-29
2004 14 2 0 1st AFC East Won Divisional Playoffs (Colts) 20-3
Won Conference Championship (Steelers) 41-27
Won Super Bowl XXXIX (Eagles) 24-21
2005 10 6 0 1st AFC East Won Wild Card Playoffs (Jaguars) 28-3
Lost Divisional Playoffs (Broncos) 27-13
2006* 12 4 0 1st AFC East Won Wild Card Playoffs (Jets) 37-16
Won Divisional Playoffs (Chargers) 24-21
Next Conference Championship (Colts)
Totals 348 346 9 (regular season, 1960-2006)
19 11 0 (playoffs, 1960-2006)
367 357 9 (all games, 1960-2006, including AFL & NFL playoffs)

* = Current Standing

+ = Due to a strike-shortened season in 1982, all teams were ranked by conference instead of division.

Players and coaches of note

Current roster

The following is accurate as of January 3 2007.[37]


New England Patriots roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Practice squad

Reserve lists


Rookies in italics

Roster updated September 28, 2024

52 active, 11 reserved, 16 practice squad (+1 exempt)

→ AFC rosters → NFC rosters

Pro Football Hall of Famers

Retired numbers

In addition to the seven players above, QB Steve Grogan (14), QB Babe Parilli (15), LB Andre Tippett (56) and LB Nick Buoniconti (85) were inducted into the Patriots' Hall of Fame. Although their numbers have not been officially retired, none were worn by Patriots players in the 2005 season. However, in the 2006 season, #14 is currently being worn by Vinny Testaverde and #15 by Ken Walter. Doug Gabriel wore #85 during the 2006 season until his release. [38]

Other notable alumni

Head coaches

Current staff

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special Teams coach

Conditioning coaches

Personnel

  • Vice President of Player Personnel - Scott Pioli
  • General Counsel for Player Personnel - Jack Mula
  • Director of Pro Personnel - Nick Caserio
  • Director of College Scouting - Thomas Dimitroff
  • Director of Scouting Administration - Nancy Meier
  • College Scouting Coordinator - Jay Muraco
  • Regional Scout - Jonathan Robinson
  • Special Assignment Scout - Frank Leonard
  • Area Scout - Marvin Allen
  • Area Scout - Tim Heffelfinger
  • Area Scout - Frantzy Jourdain
  • Area Scout - Jim Nagy
  • Area Scout - Kyle O'Brien
  • Area Scout - Monti Ossenfort
  • Area Scout - Adam Peters
  • Area Scout - Bob Quinn
  • Pro Scout - Brian Flores
  • Scouting Consultant - Larry Cook
  • Scouting Consultant - Bucko Kilroy
  • Scouting Assistant - Dujuan Daniels
  • Scouting Assistant - Tim Pichette
  • Special Assignments - Brian Smith

Executive

  • Chairman and Chief Executive Officer - Robert Kraft
  • President - Jonathan Kraft
  • Chief Operating Officer - Ray Sullivan
  • Vice President of Business Development and External Affairs - Dan Murphy
  • Vice President of Community Affairs and Corporate Philanthropy - Rena Clark
  • Vice President of Finance - Jim Hausmann
  • Vice President of Marketing Operations - Jennifer Ferron
  • Vice President of Operations - Jim Nolan
  • Vice President of Security and Front of House Operations - Mark Briggs
  • President of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation - Myra Kraft

Media

Radio

As of 2006, the Patriots' flagship radio station is WBCN 104.1FM, owned by CBS Radio. The larger radio network is called the "Pats Rock Radio Network," whose 35 affiliate stations span over 7 states. Gil Santos and Gino Cappelletti are the longtime announcing team. WBCN's pre-game show starts 3 hours before kickoff and is hosted by Gary Tanguay, with analysts Andy Gresh and Ron Borges. There is also a post-game show with the same personalities.

Another pre-game show is on Boston sports radio station WEEI, hosted by Doug Brown. WEEI's pre-game show, "The Real Post-Game Show," is hosted by Pete Sheppard. Every Monday during the season, WEEI also has "Patriots Monday," with their midday and afternoon shows broadcasted from Gillette Stadium with player and coach interviews. "Patriots Football Weekly" editor Paul Perillo, NBC Sports writer Tom Curran, and former NFL players Fred Smerlas and Steve DeOssie join Sheppard and host Glenn Ordway in the afternoon show, the "Big Show," on "Patriots Mondays" as well as other days during the season.

In 2006, ESPN Radio WAMG 890 AM in Boston debuted "Patriots Fridays," which includes Michael Felger's afternoon show from 4:00-7:00 PM EST.

Print

The Patriots have their own newspaper, "Patriots Football Weekly," which is printed weekly during the season and monthly during the offseason.

Internet

"Patriots Football Weekly" editor-in-chief Fred Kirsch, editor Paul Perillo, assistant editor Andy Hart, and staff writer Tom Casale host a two-hour online radio show on Tuesday through Friday during the season and Wednesday during the offseason called "PFW in Progress."

After "PFW in Progress" ends at 2:00 PM EST, "Patriots Playbook" hosted by John Rooke airs on Patriots.com radio. This is followed at 4:00 PM EST by "Patriots Replay." All 3 shows repeat from 6:00 PM EST to 12:00 AM EST.

Patriots.com also has a video show, "Patriots Today," hosted by Lori Baranski, a Patriots cheerleader. Starting in 2006, Baranski was named Patriots Podcast Manager, and produces a podcast during the season, "Patriots Cheerleader Chit-Chat." During training camp in 2006, Patriots Football Weekly writers also produced a daily podcast after the Patriots' training camp practices.

Up until October 10, 2005, Patriots.com featured a video show known as Patriots Video News. At that time, the Patriots moved the show exclusively to Comcast On-Demand, as part of Comcast's introduction of Patriots On-Demand.

Television

Any preseason games not on national television are shown on ABC affiliate WCVB, channel 5. Don Criqui has been the play-by-play announcer the last several years, with Randy Cross as an analyst and Mike Lynch as a reporter.

WCVB also produces a one-hour weekly program during the season, "Patriots All-Access." The show airs Saturdays at 7:00 PM EST and re-airs Sundays at 10:00 AM EST. Produced at Gillette Stadium and hosted by WCVB sports reporter Mike Lynch, "Patriots All-Access" features such segments as "The Belistrator," where coach Bill Belichick telestrates certain plays of upcoming opponents, and player and coach stories presented by Angelica Thornton.

In 2005, WCVB premiered a half-hour show that airs after "Patriots All-Access" on Sunday mornings, at 11:00 AM EST. This program, "Totally Patriots," is hosted by Kerry Connolly and is focused more towards youth, with segments on fitness, with assistant strength and conditioning coach Harold Nash, and "Football Tips with Tip," with former Patriot Andre Tippett and current Patriots players.

Local CBS affiliate WBZ also has two programs of their own on game days. "Patriots Gameday" is a half-hour show directly preceding the nationally-televised NFL Today. WBZ sports reporter Steven Burton hosts the show on-field with Boston Herald writer Michael Felger, with studio analysts Steve Nelson and Steve DeOssie. After each game, the same personalities host a post-game show, "Patriots Fifth Quarter," which features player interviews and game analysis.

Every Tuesday night during the season on NECN, "Patriots Football Weekly" writers hold a half-hour roundtable discussion with NECN sports reporter Chris Collins.

Fox Sports New England produces two half-hour programs on Thursday during the season. The first, "New England Tailgate," is hosted by WEEI personalities Glenn Ordway, Fred Smerlas, and Steve DeOssie. The second, "4 Downs with Felger," is hosted by Michael Felger with analysts Ron Borges, former Patriot Russ Francis, and Sports Illustrated writer Don Banks.

Beginning in 2005, Comcast digital cable in Eastern Massachusetts made press conferences and other videos available through a "Patriots On-Demand" service.

Notes and references

  1. ^ ESPN.com An example of the "Pats" nickname being used within sports reports. Accessed 26 January 2006.
  2. ^ Patriots History Accessed 26 January 2006.
  3. ^ Jim Nance statistics Accessed 25 January 2006.
  4. ^ NFL MVP player of the year Accessed 25 January 2006.
  5. ^ Heisman trophy winners Accessed 25 January 2006.
  6. ^ 1971 NFL draft Accessed 25 January 2006.
  7. ^ Top 100 Players: 13 - John Hannah. Information on John Hannah's career, including a list of awards, which features the 1991 NFL Hall of Fame induction. Accessed 29 January 2006.
  8. ^ 1985 New England Patriots Statistics. Features information on the Patriots' wins during the 1985 season and playoffs. Accessed 26 January 2006.
  9. ^ Book discussing various aspects of the Patriots sports franchise Website accessed January 31, 2006.
  10. ^ Patriots Change Hands. Associated Press article, published on October 29, 1988. Website accessed February 1, 2006.
  11. ^ Sports Encyclopedia. Kiam owned 51% and Murray 49%. Information relating to Kiam's purchasing of the Patriots in the late 1980s. Accessed January 31, 2006.
  12. ^ Patriots Change Hands. Associated Press article, published on October 29, 1988. Website accessed February 1, 2006.
  13. ^ Patriots History. Information relating to Kraft purchasing Sullivan Stadium and renaming it Foxboro stadium. Accessed January 31, 2006.
  14. ^ Lisa Olsen sexual harassment scandal Accessed 31 January 2006.
  15. ^ Patriots History. Orthwein takes over the franchise, which sparks controversy over a possible franchise relocation. Accessed 31 January 2006.
  16. ^ Patriots History. Kraft takes over in 1994, saving the team from a move. Accessed 31 January 2006.
  17. ^ CBS4 Boston. Story on Eric Mangini with historical information about Belichick's one-day head coaching run with the Jets. Accessed 26 January 2006.
  18. ^ CT.gov Story on Kraft moving the team to Hartford. Accessed 18 April 2006.
  19. ^ Sportslawnews.com Information on the reversal of the Hartford deal. Accessed 18 April 2006.
  20. ^ Information about Gillette Stadium Accessed 31 January, 2006
  21. ^ Additional information about Gillette Stadium Accessed 31 January, 2006
  22. ^ NFL's Longest Winning Streaks. From the Pro Football Hall of Fame website. Information on the winning streak being stopped by the Steelers at 21 wins. Accessed 28 January 2006.
  23. ^ Return of Tedy Bruschi HBO column. Accessed 26 January 2006.
  24. ^ Patriots' Flutie converts first drop kick since 1941. ESPN column. Accessed 26 January 2006.
  25. ^ Add Vince to Dean's List Boston Herald newspaper article. Accessed 26 January 2006.
  26. ^ Pats coordinate efforts Boston Herald newspaper article. Accessed 26 January 2006.
  27. ^ Attendance information from 1980- Accessed 1 February 2006
  28. ^ Specific information on 2003- Sell-out streak Accessed 1 February 2006
  29. ^ Patriots History. Logo design information. Accessed 26 January 2006.
  30. ^ Patriots History. Logo naming information. Accessed 26 January 2006.
  31. ^ i-NFL Helmet Information relating to the evolution of the Patriots' helmets. Accessed 28 January 2006.
  32. ^ Patriots History. Changes. Accessed 26 January 2006.
  33. ^ NFLHistory.net Information on the Patriots' ownership, including the start of the "Flying Elvis" logo. Accessed 26 January 2006.
  34. ^ NFLHistory.net Color changes; one of the colors is called "Patriot" blue by this source. Accessed 28 January 2006.
  35. ^ i-NFL Helmet. Mention of helmet and uniform changes in 2000. Accessed 30 January 2006.
  36. ^ For example, see "Patriots 40, Texans 7". Boston.com.
  37. ^ Depth Chart Patriots' depth chart. Accessed 2 September 2006.
  38. ^ Hall of Fame Information on the Patriots' retired numbers and Hall of Famers. Accessed 26 January 2006.

See also


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